The State of the FamilyA man and woman united in marriage with their children, form a family. This institution is prior to any recognition by public authority, which has an obligation to recognize it. I should be considered the normal reference point by which the different forms of family relationship are to be evaluated.

We do not define family. We serve it.

People have lost sight of the good of the human person and of marriage. The vision of the Church provides that good which people need to apply to their lives. They may know what wrong looks like, what illness looks like, what pain and evil look like, even what pleasure looks like but they do not know what good, health and happiness look like. They come to the Church because they do not want the cynicism of the world but in hopes that the vision of the Church is possible. However, even though they see this vision they still face the immense challenge of how to apply and integrate it into their lives. What does the struggle to acquire virtue and happiness look like? How can it be seen in practical and simple ways in daily life? We join in that question to help them respond.